Nevertheless, a small knot of fanatics still continued to cherish a wild hope that they might be able to change the order of succession.

The plan formed by these men was set forth in a minute of which a rude French translation has been preserved.

It was to be hoped, they said, that the King might be able to establish the true faith without resorting to extremities; but, in the worst event, he might leave his crown at the disposal of Lewis.

It was better for Englishmen to be the vassals of France than the slaves of the Devil.

[300] This extraordinary document was handed about from Jesuit to Jesuit, and from courtier to courtier, till some eminent Roman Catholics, in whom bigotry had not extinguished patriotism, furnished the Dutch Ambassador with a copy.